The Lord of the Rings by William Couch. Pencil and charcoal on paper.
PIPPIN: I didn’t think it would end this way.
GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?
GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
If you’ve visited London’s Portobello Road then you will undoubtedly have spotted the distinctive shop front of Alice’s Antiques. This familiar favourite has become even more popular since being featured in the fabulous Paddington Bear films (or movies, if you prefer!). Colourful and iconic, this print will brighten up any room or gallery wall.
The blue door from the film (or movie, if you prefer!) Notting Hill is pretty famous, and even 20+ years later you will regularly see people posing for photographs in front of it. If you’re passing through the area and want to see it, it’s on Westbourne Park Road, just at the junction with Portobello Road.
This is my quirky view of that famous blue door. Up close and personal, it’s a more subtle nod to the film than most images. Colourful and iconic, this print will brighten up any room or gallery wall.
The Lord of the Rings by William Couch. Pencil and charcoal on paper.
PIPPIN: I didn’t think it would end this way.
GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?
GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
The Lord of the Rings by William Couch. Pencil and charcoal on paper.
PIPPIN: I didn’t think it would end this way.
GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?
GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
The Lord of the Rings by William Couch. Pencil and charcoal on paper.
PIPPIN: I didn’t think it would end this way.
GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?
GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
The Lord of the Rings by William Couch. Pencil and charcoal on paper.
PIPPIN: I didn’t think it would end this way.
GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?
GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
I’ve got my groove back and have been enjoying painting more local snapshots. I have lots more of these planned, so follow me on Instagram to make sure you don’t miss any! These are all all original pieces of art in ink and watercolour, and the size is 3.5 x 4.25 inches (old Polaroid size). They’re currently priced at £20 (plus postage) each, and are available via Instagram. I’ll start adding them to my Etsy shop in the new year, but in the meantime send me a DM on Instagram if you’d like to snap one up.
The prompt for day three of #indieweek is ‘your home and community’ – which gives me the perfect excuse to trot out one of my favourite quotes (by the wonderful Ben Aaronovitch – if you’re not familiar with his work then grab Rivers of London and get reading).
If you’re a native-born Londoner..then the strongest bit of your manor is where you grew up. There’s a particular kind of safety that comes from being on the streets where you went to school, had your first snog, or drink, or threw up your first chicken vindaloo.
It’s true, and one’s manor doesn’t just confer a sense of security but also one of community. I live at a bit of a crossroads: on the north/south boundary between Brent and Westminster and, looking east/west, I’m slap bang betwixt Queens Park and Kensal Rise. I went to school in Kilburn, and (for various reasons) Maida Vale has also become part of my regular stomping ground over the years. My manor is wide and varied; it ranges from the polished and ludicrously posh, to the slightly grubby and still-furiously-resisting-gentrification. I love all of it: the community spirit of the people who walk their dogs in the parks, the friendliness of local shopkeepers, the quirky habits of certain local residents (I’m naming no names), and the fantastically rich local history. It’s an amazing place to live, and I think that living here has influenced me and my work no end.
The Lord of the Rings by William Couch. Pencil and charcoal on paper.
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